MARCH / APRIL 2014 Lite Challenge: The Branch Library

[kirkspencer]

I'm a sucker for a bad bun, and so the concept popped into my mind during my day's activities. While I'd like to do it justice I can at least get the basic guide down now.

### Latest WIP ###

[The_Buce]

I really like this idea! I'd love to visit a library in a huge tree

[kirkspencer]

Thank you. Love the idea, hate what I currently have, but by putting in a place marker it makes me have to stop on other maps and work on this one.

stupid deadlines.

[kirkspencer]

Though the map is no better than what I used as a placeholder, I finally completed the concept. So all can know how far I'm reaching beyond my ability, I present 'welcome to the Library'.

Is this your first time visiting the Branch Library? Yes? Then I would like to take a few moments of your time to tell you about us so you can best help us help you.

The Branch Library is the foremost research library of the Western Woods. It is a non-circulating closed stacks library, and we delight in providing outstanding service to those who enter our tree.

You are presently at the information desk in the lobby of the library. You just climbed our Great Ramp, which circles the trunk of the Tree of Knowledge three times while climbing to this point. The ramp has gradually bonded to the bark of the Tree, but is still fully supported by both vines and tap braces. In the appropriate seasons the vines provide berries and the taps tree sap for harvest.

The lobby holds the information desk at which visitors may receive brief answers to questions that do not require entering deep within the stacks. There is comfortable seating for those who desire to bide a while. Trunkward you see the bridge to the teahouse and branchward the bridge to the service areas.
Our teahouse provides refreshments for everyone desiring them. Many patrons choose to do their researches from it, preferring their food swiftly delivered over swifter access to requested materials. The teahouse provides a small selection of sapwines, root beers, teas, and waters, plus a range of sweet and savory tarts, cakes, sandwiches, and salads. The exact menu depends upon what is in season at the time, but we take particular pride in the sapwines and berry tarts made from what is harvested from our tree.

Each of our four service areas consist of a main reception platform with several rooms for individuals and small groups attached by bridge or pathway. In the reception area you will find a service desk which is always staffed. You may peruse our catalog of materials and the teahouse menu there. We believe you will find it more advantageous to discuss your needs with the staff, both at these desks and those found roaming the limbs. We believe between our general breadth of knowledge and specific knowledge of the holdings within the stacks we can help ensure you leave no clue overlooked in your researches. For convenience, while any of our materials as well as refreshments from the teahouse can be brought to any location, the service areas are located near particular groupings of stacks and are so labeled. They are tales, philosophies, explorations, and craftings.

We hope you enjoy your time here at the Branch Library and look forward to serving you.

The rest of the library? I regret to tell you that only staff and those given specific extraordinary access are permitted outside the above-mentioned areas. Oh, you’ve received permission? May I see…? Ah, very well.

Branchward from the teahouse you will find the kitchen, the pantry, and the supply elevator. The latter two lie within a hollow in the teahouse limb.

There are five stacks locations. The more frequently accessed materials are arranged in shelves which spiral up the primary fork to which each of our service area limbs are attached. In the hollow within the main trunk are the materials less frequently requested, those items of greater than average value, materials newly received and not yet processed and entered into the catalog, and items requiring repair. In addition the hollow holds staff offices and supplies.

Finally, there is security. The library’s hollow holds one of the Western Wood’s militia armories with a small garrison. The default mission of the garrison is to defend the Branch Library. All staff barring specific exemption is a militia member and is required to participate in regular training. I will point out that should invaders enter the Tree of Knowledge all bridges are to be cut and alternate methods of moving between limbs are to be used.

Your pass grants you the right to walk through the stacks, but only with an escort. If you will follow me I will take you to the director who will assign escorting staff to best assist you.